Method of mining



E. C. MORGAN.

METHOD OF MINING.

APPLlCATlON FILED MAR- 5, I913- RENEWED AUG. 22. 1917.

1 30,742. Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

II I ROCK I H Com. 1

lNVENTOR.

WlINESSES FIG Fla RG1 EDMUND C. MORGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF MINING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

Application filed March 5, 1913, Serial No. 752,087. Renewed August 22, 1917. Serial No. 187,703.

To all who met may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond Hill, N ew York city, county of Queens, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Method of Mining, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is the provision of a more efficient method of mining, in order to effect the conservation of the minerals in the earth, the forests, and the surface of the earth above mining operations;

' also to effect a greater degree of safety to mine operatives; and to effect reduction in the cost of mining by facilitating the movement ofmachinery and operatives.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features being set forth in the appended claims.

I attain the objects of my invention by the method of mining illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate like parts in each separate set of views.

Coal mining is now usually carried on in the United States in a very wasteful way. The coal deposits are so vast and so widely distributed that competition is very keen; therefore only the'best grades contained in the most accessible and most profitable veins of coal are worked in any given locality. Such prior methods of mining result in serious distortion and ruin of veins of coal above, and even much loss of coal in the vein being worked.

The mining as now carried on results in the removal of mineral from only selected points in the mine and the consequence is the caving in of the over-lying strata. The preferred method of mining, so far as the particular vein being worked is concerned, has been what is known as the long-wall system, whereby all of the material is re moved as the mining progresses, but owing to the difficulty and expense of holding up the roof, less than 1% of all the coal mining in this country is carried on by this system, and even where it is now practical, it has been the great objection of disturbing the veins of mineral that may be contained in the over-lying strata, and even of disturb ing the land at the surface; furthermore, where the roof in subsiding breaks instead of bending, water is likely to run into the workings and cause great trouble and expense.

Nearly all of the coal mining in this country is now carried on by what is known .as the room and pillar system, which, in

most cases, is exceedingly wasteful of the coal in the vein being worked, destructive to the veins that may be in the overlying strata, and destructive to the land at the surface, and in addition requires a large amount of timbering to support the roof a suflicient length of time to remove what coal is mined, so that, in the aggregate, a vast forest is disappearing into the mines every year; and, moreover, one of the most serious objections of all is the fatalities each year, caused by the breaking of roofs. Such fatalities caused by material descending from roofs of mine chambers, are greater than from all other causes combined, even including the terrible gas and dust explosions that occur from time to time. The trouble with water getting into the workings through the broken roof'is another serious objection to the usual room and pillar system of mining.

By the use of my method of mining, practically all of the coal in the vein being worked can be taken out as thework ad vances, and permanent supports applied to hold the roof indefinitely, so that it may be practical to work the coal veins that may be in the overlying strata, hundreds of years hence. The roof being held intact, no water is likely to get into the workings and a larger space is made possible for the use of machinery, such as mining machines, or loading machines, or combined mining and loading machines.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views taken parallel or level with the lay of the mineral vein, of a portion of a mine operated by my method, in which each of the supporting columns is composed of two blocks taken from the roof; the views being taken respectively looking along the working face and toward the working face.

Figs. 3 and 4 aresectional views, taken parallel or level with the lay of the mineral.

vein, of a portion ofa mine operated by my method, in which each of the supporting columns is composed of two blocks taken from the floor; the views being taken respectively looking along the working face, and toward the working face.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views, taken parallel or level with the lay of the mineral vein, of a portion of a mine operated by my method, in which each of the supporting columns is composed of three blocks taken from the roof; the views being taken respectively looking along the working face and toward the working face.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of a mine using my method under conditions similar to those shown in Fig. 1, except that the blocks are slightly tapered, and the fioor and roof are formed with a series of inclined faces.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent respectively a sectional view taken parallel or level with the lay of the mineral vein, and a plan view with the roof removed; these views showing a modified form of supporting columns.

Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively sectional. and plan views of another modification of columns for supporting roofs in a mine chamber.

Figs. 12 and 13 represent sectional and plan views of still another modification of supporting columns.

Figs. 1 1 and 15 are sectional views taken parallel or level with the lay of the mineral vein looking respectively along the working face and toward the working face; and

Fig. 16 is a top view in section taken on the lines 23 and 24: of Figs. 14: and 15 respectively, all showing a portion of a mine using my method shown in Figs. 3 and 4:; additionally Figs. 14:, 15 and 16 show a method of making a start in the working face to facilitate the carrying out of the first mentioned method.

My method of mining as herein set forth, consists in the continual and systematic removal along with the removal, of the mineral vein, of a layer of the strata adjoining the mineral vein. said strata first being reduced to the form of blocks of a site determined before removal which shall be such that a plurality of them suitably placed will be of a height corresponding to the height left by the previous removal of both the mineral. vein and other blocks of the strata at a predetermined point. in my co-pending application, S61. No. 702,373, filed June 7, 1912-, for an improvement in a method of mining, I have disclosed a method of sup porting roofs in a mine chamber by means of single blocks of such strata dislodged from the floor or roof of the mine chamber, and then placed in suitable position.

Referring again to the drawings, it will be seen that Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a mine chamber looking along the working face, while Fig. 2 is a sectional view looking directly toward the working face, or in the direction in which the work is advancing. That portion of Fig. 2 to the right of the dotted line 18, is taken on the line 17 of Fig. 1. The sections of the strata shown in these two view are indicated by the reference letters A and B, the A sections being shown placed in their chosen permanent positions and the B sections being in positions Where left immediately after being severed from the strata. Any suitable means may be employed for cutting out the blocks of mineral and strata of foreign material. The size of the blocks from the strata of foreign material is made such that two placed one upon the other will have a combined height equal to the height between the floor and the roof of the mine chamber in order to fill the space left by the remo *al of both the mineral and the st at-a at the point where they are to be located. In Figs. 1 and 2' the columns are spaced equi-distant in both directions, that is to say, both in a direction parallel to the working face and in a direction perpendicular thereto. Fig. 2 represents the spacing of the columns after located in permanent position, in a line parallel to the working face. Fig. 1 represents the spacing between one permanent column and the lower block of the next column in a line perpendicular to the working face. In Fig. 1 the block B which has just been removed, will be block A when placed on top of the single block A. The blocks designated N in Figs. 1 and 2 represent diagrammatically the blocks of coal which have been removed.

Usually it is preferred to form the sections A of the permanent columns from the strata over-lying the mineral vein, as illus trated in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the overlying strata is designated as rock. in some instances, however, I prefer to form the blocks for the permanent supporting columns from strata under-lying the mineral vein, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, where the under-lying strata is designated rock and the over-lying strata is designated coal. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the mine chamber looking along the working face, and Fig. 4- a sectional view looking toward the working face. The sections C o f the permanent supporting columns are shown placed in their chosen permanent positions, and the sect-ions D are shown in the positions which they occupy immediately after being removed from their native beds. The permanent columns formed by the blocks U are substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the spacing is different. In Figs. 3 and -l the columns are placed in contact with each other, or nearly so,.so as to form practically a continuous wall parallel to the wall of material being worked. This is illustrated in Fig. 4. These wall columns are spaced apart, however, in the direction toward the working face, as illustrated in Fig. 3,

, Under conditions where a thick vein of material is to be taken out of a mine, and it is not important to provide sufficient head room, and the over-lying strata is not too umn.

heavy, so that less area of support will hold up the roof, I prefer to use the method shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a mine chamber looking along the working face, and Fig. 6 is a sectional View looking toward the working face. The reference letter E designates sections of the strata that have been placed in their chosen permanent positions, and the reference letter F designates a section after removal but still occupying substantially its original po sition in its native bed. The permanent supporting columns are in this case made up of three sections, and the spacing between the columns is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the columns are spaced farther apart.

In the practical application of the method as above described, it is contemplated'that the sections will not be fitted so closely between the floor and roof that a slight settling action cannot take place in the overlying strata. That is to say, the column need not fit very tight between the floor and roof when originally placed in position, and slight settling action in the over-lying strata, insufiicient to injure theroof in any way, will cause the columns toexert a sustaining action. Nor will such slight settling ure the veins of mineral in the overlying strata or the land at the surface. However, if it is not desired to allow any settling movementof the over-lying strata, I prefer to apply the method illustrated in Fig. 7 which is a sectional view of a mine chamber looking along the face of the workings. The sections designated G are in position to form a permanent supporting col- The section designated His shown in its position immediately after being severed from the strata designated rock. The sections H are formed in the shape of wedges and the surfaces of the roof and floor are formed with a plurality of inclined faces, so that when two of the sections of foreign material are placed between the floor and the roof and moved in a direction parallel to the roof and floor, a powerful wedging action will take place, thus preventing any movement of the roof relatively to the mine fioor. VVedging action can also be obtained with the wedge-shaped sections without the inclined faces of the floor and roof, if desired. In Fig. 7 Q designates a section of mineral being removed.

In some instances, the strata under-lying a mineral vein may be of such a nature that the pressure would force it up between the columns when formed as described above. In such instances, I prefer to apply the method illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, or as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. When the height of a section of foreign material is substantially equal to half of theheight between the floor and roof, the method illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and Figs. 10 and 11 can readily be carried out. When the height of the section is equal to substantially one third of the height between the floor and the roof, the method illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 is preferable.

In Figs. 8 and 9, which are respectively cross-sectional and plan views of a mine chamber, each column is composed of three sections, two in the base portion and one above, over-lapping one half of each of the base sections. In Figs. 10 and 11, each column is composed of five sections, four in the base and one above over-lapping one fourth of each base section. In Figs. 12 and 13 each column is formed of fourteen sections, nine in the base, four sections on the base, and one at the top.

In the method of mining hereinbefore described, the work of removing the mineral vein at any given portion of the mine, will usually proceed faster than the removal of the sections of strata. The work of removing sections of strata will therefore have to be carried on at several points along the working face, and when one section of the work has proceeded to where another has started, a new start farther along the face will have to be made. It will therefore be frequently necessary to make an opening straight into the face of the wall to obtain an open space from which to make a new start in the removal of sections of strata in the most economical manner. Furthermore, the method of mining hereinbefore described, may be used extensively for driving entries and for room work, in which cases a new start straight into the face will have to be made for each step in advance.

The method of making a new start at any portion of a mine wall, is illustrated in Figs. 14, 15 and 16. Fig. 14 is an irregular cross section of a portion of'a mine looking along the working "face, taken on the dotted lines 25 and 26 of Fig. 16, and showing the triangular blocks K in elevation or with the triangular shaped blocks I removed. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a portion of a mine looking toward the face or in the direction in which the work is progressing. Fig. 16 is a plan view taken on the dotted lines 23 and 2 1 of Figs. 14 and 15 respectively.

In carrying out this starting method, the wedge-shaped section I is first removed by forming kerfs 27, 28, 29 and 80, and'breaking off the block of material at the narrow point J. The wedge shaped section K is neXt removed by continuing kerfs 27 and 30 in their own planes and forming additional kerfs 32 and 33, which entirely severs the section K. The removal of the other sections, L, M, is then proceeded with by continuing the kerfs 27 30 and 32 and forming the new kerfs 36, 37, etc.

Since Fig. 16 is fa plan view on the lines 23 and 24 of Figs. 14 and 15, and represents the removal of sections of foreign material, such as rock, it can readily be seen that the upper sections of coal, which are designated M, N, etc., may be removed by forming a ceiling kerf 31 and extending the kerfs 28, 29, 32 and 33 a suflicient distance upwardly; for instance, kerf 34 may be an extension of kerf 28, kerf 35 may be an extension of kerf 29, kerf 39 and extension of kerf 33, kerf 40 and extension of kerf 36, kerf 41 an extension of kerf 37, as illustrated in Fig. 15, and kerf 38 may be an extension of the back kerf 32, as shown in Fig. 14.

With reference to the method of mining as shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the height of a mineral vein will vary greatly, sometimes quite abruptly, and that in the practical application of my method, the height of blocks removed for supporting the roof is predetermined for each block. This can be done quickly and accurately by first determining where each supporting column is to be placed and how many blocks are to compose each supporting column. The height of the space where the supporting column is to be located may be measured beforehand and then the blocks cut out to fit the space between the fioor and the roof with the desired accuracy.

It should also be observed that since Figs. 3 and 4 show a continuous wall formation, those views embody another feature which is advantageous in mining. The supporting columns may be placed so as to form a continuous wall parallel or concentric to the working face, according to whether the working face is straight or curved. By closing the space where the wall may have been left open for roadways, the air which is in motion for ventilating purposes, can be confined to the space between the working space and the next adjacent supporting wall composed of the blocks C. In this manner, the air for ventilating purposes can be confined to the space between the workin face and the nearest supporting wall. T118 is advantageous because the ventilatingair is most desired near the working faces where the operatives are working. The air therefore is not spread over a large space back of the working face where the ventilating air is not needed.

That I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s:

1. The method of mining consisting in bodily dislodging sections of material in its native bed adjacent a mine chamber, each section of a dimension predetermined in its out position in. said native bed, so that a plurality of them superposed one upon the other shall approximately equal the height between the floor and roof of said mine chamber at a predetermined position therein, and placing said sections in such superposed relation between the floor and roof to support the latter.

2. The method of mining consisting in bodily dislodging sections of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, each section of a dimension predetermined in its out position in said native bed so that two of such sections superposed one upon the other shall approximately equal the height between the fioor and roof of said mine chamber at a predetermined position therein, and placing said sections in said superposed relation between the floor and roof to support the latter.

3. The method of mining consisting in bodily dislodging sections of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, each section of a dimension predetermined in its out po sition in said native bed, and arranging such sections to form roof supporting walls in parallel relation to the working face.

4. The method of mining consisting in bodily dislodging sections of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, each section of a dimension predetermined in its out position in said native bed, and arranging such sections to form approximately tight walls between the floor and roof of said mine chamber.

5. The method of mining consisting in dislodging from. its native bed in a mine chamber, a plurality of sections of material each of predetermined shape and height, moving such dislodged sections to a predetermined place in the mine chamber, and superposing the same to act as a supporting column or roof prop in said mine chamber.

6. The method of mining which consists of kerf cutting about a mass of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, and effecting the dislodgment thereof so as to have a predetermined height, moving a plurality of such dislodged masses of material to a predetermined position in a mine chamber, and superposing such masses to act as a roof prop in the mine chamber.

7. The method of mining which consists in dislodging from their native beds in a mine chamber, a plurality of sections of ma terial having a combined height approximately equal to the height between the floor and roof of the mine chamber, and after dislodging such sections, moving them into predetermined positions and superposing them to form a series of spaced-apart roof props.

8. The method of mining consisting in bodily carving out from material in its native bed in a mine chamber, a plurality of sections of material, each having a height corresponding in its out position to a predetermined proportion of the distance between the floor and roof of said chamber at a predetermined position in the mine chamber, and moving such sections to said predetermined position and superposing said sections to form a roof prop.

9. The method of mining consisting of bodily carving out from material in its native bed in a mine chamber, sections of a shape and size predetermined in their cut positions before removal, and placing said sections in position to support the roof of said chamber with the lower section resting on the floor and the upper section contacting with the roof.

10. The method of mining consisting in dislodging sections of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, each of a dimension predetermined in its out position in said native bed, and arranging them in close relation to form a continuous series of roof props and a continuous wall for directing ventilating air along a predetermined passage in the mine chamber.

11. The method of mining consisting in bodily carving out sections of material in its native bed in a mine chamber, each section of material being predetermined in its out position in said native bed, and having fiat upper and lower surfaces parallel to .each other, and superposing such sections to form roof props and arranging such roof props in close relation to form a wallspaced apart from the working face of the mine chamber to direct ventilating air along the working face.

EDMUND G. MORGAN. 

